Reply by KenBee

I just received some walnut I bought off Ebay painted on the ends and some maple I bought was sealed on the ends with thick clear packing tape about 10 inches into the board. Which is a bear to get off BTW. All of it was completely wrapped with saran wrap type material for shipping as well as heavy cardboard. I keep all of my high dollar lumber on end and sticker stack other cheap species of wood like poplar and cedar. I use Titebond II or III glue to seal the ends of my boards rather than paint even though I am not sure that is an acceptable way to keep checking in check, but it seems to work.

-- If it won't fit get a BIGGER hammer.